| Book
Reviews & Interview
by Courtney Skelton
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Mooreeffoc
By Tetiana Aleksina & Tony Single
Mooreeffoc
is a very short yet somehow compelling story that starts quickly
and ends way too soon. I would like more descriptions of what
is going on -IE where this takes place, what time frame. I
really would have liked to have much more added to the story
as the story left me wanting more. the dialogue kept me going
as it hooked me in on every word spoken. It is largely based
on emotion and thoughts within the plot line. This can be
easily read in one sitting. It does have adult content, so
this is not a children’s bedtime story. If you want
a quick fantasy read, this will do the trick.
One
Pulse: Cradle 2 Grave
by Tetiana Aleksina & Tony Single
This
is something that normally would not fall into this category
of book reviews I read yet I tried it. the short book is nothing
that can carry any label, much less one, as it is collection
of poems that seem to be okay being in a class by themselves.
There seems to be a range of emotions, from bitterness with
a taste of regret, a sense of ominous threat, self-doubt with
a fair amount of self-awareness, all the way to heart-felt
sorrow as well as an ominous fate. I personally like ‘not
today’ and ‘you don’t say my name’
as my personal favorites yet there are plenty of others that
are good enough to be bulletin board material.
————
Tetiana
and Tony have agreed to take a few moments out of their busy
schedule to answer a few questions to give us some insight
behind the making of these two reads.
Corky-
How did the story Moreeffoc come about?
Tetiana-
I guess I started this mess. 'Tell me all about yourself.'
It was a real request which I got on one site. Of course I
was outraged! 'I can’t have witnesses.’ Somehow
or other, I wrote the first three paragraphs then Tony caught
the ball.
Tony-
I don’t even recall how we settled on the story’s
locale and characters, but once those things were in place
the process of telling it from three different perspectives
was quite fun and involved. It’s when Tati and I began
to get an inkling of just how perfectly matched we would be
as writers. Plus, she is indeed quite the cheeky one, which
always keeps me on my toes!
Corky-
Thanks to many big budget science fiction movies (and novels),
there is a plethora of similar stories for readers of this
genre to pick up and read. What do you think separates your
story from the rest?
Tetiana-
Well… because it’s written by us?
Tony-
For me, the difference is in our use of language. Because
English isn’t Tati’s native tongue, she often
frames things in a way that is slightly unusual. This suits
me just fine as my writing style is fairly idiosyncratic too.
So, when we write something together, it often feels more
cohesive than a collaborative piece normally would. In fact,
it sometimes feels like some strange, freewheeling weirdo
who’s stepped off a moon rocket on a visit to Earth,
and they’ve decided to make field notes on what they
see.
Corky-
According to the web-site wikipedia- there is potentially
a reboot of the television show ‘twilight zone’.
If you were approached, would you consider have moreeffoc
as the plotline of an episode?
Tetiana-
Give me a moment. I need to check what this is… ‘Twilight
Zone’. Oh, yes, sure thing! Do you have Rod Serling’s
email? Oh my god, he died! Never mind. Who is the producer
now?
Tony-
Sure! Why not? I’ll take my payment in three
monthly installments of a truckload of dark chocolate.
Tetiana-
No. A bank transfer please.
Corky-
One pulse-cradle to grave threw me a bit, I must say. It was
not so much of the content or of how good it was, yet because
I liked it (my 1st poetry book read). Having said that, what
came easier for you to write, Moreeffoc, or opctg?
Tetiana-
Both of them I can compare with gathering puzzles. When you
see that a piece clicks and sets in the right place…
yes, it is a challenge, and yet great fun at the same time.
Tony-
For me, One Pulse was definitely the easier book
to write because much of the poetry already existed. It was
more a matter of collating it into one vaguely coherent mess.
The illustrations, although fun to do, took a long time for
us to plan and for me to draw. However, it was time well spent
as we’re quite satisfied with the result!
Corky-
opctg is some compelling stuff. Do you have more material
and if so, enough for another installment for your readers?
Tetiana-
You bet, Corky! We’re full of ideas and plans. ?????
? ??????.
Tony-
Yes sir, yes sir. Three bags full, sir! Erm. Madam.
Corky-
When you two write, do you set aside time together, or write
each on your own and then get together and compare notes?
Tetiana-
In different ways, actually. We do a bit of both.
Tony-
Yes, sometimes we Skype, and write together like a house on
fire. (A very creative house fire.) Other times we lock ourselves
away from any and all distractions, and write alone.
Corky-
Lastly, if your readers get only one thing from reading your
work what would you want it to be?
Tetiana-
Hwyl.
Tony-
Herpes. Okay, okay, I kid! I don’t want anyone
to get herpes. Actually, I couldn’t have put it any
better than Tati just now. Hm. How does it make you feel?
That’s what I’d ask anyone who reads our work.
(Oh, and I don’t have herpes. Honest!)
Visit Tony and Tetiana's at UNBOLT.ME
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